TYPO3 is a free, open-source template-based content management system which has a user-friendly workspace for editing and authoring content. The TYPO3 template engine can be used as is or you can add more functionality and customization to the system with the TypoScript language. This book by Daniel Koch will help you understand TYPO3 and TypoScript and how to customize your TYPO3 site layout in several ways including generating dynamic menus and graphics.

Koch begins with an introduction to both TYPO3 and TypoScript. He discusses the building blocks of TypoScript such as objects, properties, operators and data types. Next he introduces a few helpful tools including the Ultra Edit text editor as well as the Constant Editor which is used for editing the standard TYPO3 templates. These design templates are what control the layout of the TYPO3 site. However, these templates are different from the HTML templates you may have encountered. Koch explains these differences and how to use markers, subparts and placeholders to control dynamic content.

Koch then moves on to dynamic menu and image generation. He discusses how you can do a lot of graphic processing with TypoScript from embedding and modifying the size of your images to using GIFBUILDER to generate dynamic images. He also covers how TYPO3 can add shadows and embossing effects. Finally, he covers how to use TypoScript for image caching.

Without a navigation menu, your site visitors will not be able to go beyond the homepage. Koch discusses the creation and customization of dynamic text, graphical and JavaScript based menus with TypoScript. Then he covers using the HMENU object for hierarchical menus. Frames are also used to control the layout of a website and Koch covers TYPO3ís IFRAME and IFRAME2 extensions.

Part of your site will require a membership area and login authentication. TYPO3 supports forms, such as a login form, and Koch shows you how to create forms for your site with the Forms Wizard. He discusses how to set up forms with required fields and how to add CSS style. Next, he shows how to use TypoScript and the Front End User Admin and MailformPlus extensions. If you have a large, dynamic driven website you will need database functionality. Koch covers how to program SQL queries within TYPO3.

You may want to add other extensions or create your own extensions. Koch covers both of these topics. He shows how to use the Extension Manager to install and manage several TYPO3 extensions which include a news, chat, newsletter and calendar extensions. Next, he covers how to make your own extensions with Kickstarter.

Once you have your site layout and extensions in place, Koch covers how to use TypoScript to optimize your site, add a multiple language option, and generate PDF pages of your site. Finally, Koch covers the steps needed to make a TYPO3 site search engine friendly.

Daniel Koch is an author and developer specializing in open source applications and content management systems.